MWE Correspondent
Former Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia has been tapped by U.S. President Donald Trump to spearhead a new federal initiative aimed at modernizing the way Americans interact with their government online.
The project, housed within a newly established National Design Studio (NDS), will focus on streamlining federal websites and digital platforms to make them more efficient, accessible, and visually engaging. The move follows Trump’s signing of an executive order earlier this week, formally creating the role of Chief Design Officer, a position Gebbia will now hold.
Gebbia, best known for co-founding Airbnb, brings his background in user-centered design to a government that has long been criticized for outdated and confusing digital services. He said his mission is to ensure that filing taxes, renewing a passport, or applying for student loans feels as intuitive as shopping online or using a smartphone app.
“My directive is to update today’s government services to be as satisfying to use as the Apple Store: beautifully designed, great user experience, and run on modern software,” Gebbia explained in a recent interview.
The NDS is being described as a streamlined successor to the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), once led by billionaire Elon Musk. While DOGE was tasked with broad reforms that included budget cuts and restructuring, the new design studio will focus specifically on digital accessibility and citizen experience.
Also Read; Drone Strike Destroys Vital Aid Convoy in Darfur
According to government data, the U.S. operates more than 26,000 official websites, many of which are outdated and poorly optimized for mobile devices. A recent analysis found that fewer than 10 percent meet modern standards for accessibility and speed. Gebbia’s team will work with agencies to unify design practices under the existing U.S. Web Design System, a framework originally developed to improve federal digital services.
President Trump has set a clear deadline: by July 4, 2026, coinciding with America’s semicentennial celebrations, the first wave of redesigned platforms should be live and accessible to the public.
The effort is seen as both a technological and political gamble. For years, Americans have voiced frustration with clunky government portals, from health care enrollment to immigration paperwork. Improving usability could strengthen public trust in federal institutions, while failures would risk reinforcing criticism of government inefficiency.
Political observers also note that this initiative reflects a broader trend of governments adopting practices from the private tech sector, blending Silicon Valley innovation with public administration. Supporters argue that Gebbia’s appointment could mark a turning point in how citizens experience government, while skeptics remain wary of potential over-reliance on private-sector models.
